Vision Quest is the first instalment of an ongoing collaborative video series by American graffiti writer KEMS (@allchrome) and Los Angeles based photographer Kingston (@kingstonphoto). The series documents the search and activation of wasted spaces.

In the search for abandoned spots to explore and paint, KEMS discovered abandoned lines of trains out in the desert. Loading up with a stack of Lak Chrome spray paint and a large a-frame ladder, he trekked through the arid landscape to find a discontinued double-decker passenger train – potentially from the 60s or 70s. While the dates are uncertain, in tracing the history of the cars, they were used to convey people from Mexico to San Diego – at one point, this model was used in Chicago.

These adventures brought back the sense of discovery that graffiti originally gave him. In reflection, KEMS says that it seems people were at these locations one day and gone the next. Leaving him to question – “why did people abandon this place?”

Photos from these lurks will be featured in an upcoming zine and accompanied by a special edition Reload by Ironlak spray can. More details to be announced.

American artist EWOK (MSK, HM, Ironlak Family) creates a vibrant illustration at the Ironlak Studio in Brisbane, Australia. Ironlak Pump Action Paint Markers were used to create all the outlines and finer details – with Sugar Artists’ Acrylic spray paint putting down the background fades and base layers through a series of hand cut paper stencils. An interesting insight into EWOK’s process in the studio and techniques he uses to create unique yet iterative works on paper.